Read Walter Martin's excellent book "Kingdom of the Cults". In it he defines a cult as a religion that makes a claim of Christianity while denying one or more of the basic tenets of Christianity.
Nonsense! A cult is any religion too small to buy a politician.
That is the definition that I hold to. Denying Christ his Lordship, Kingship and Creator roll. Also putting other gods equal or bofore Him.
“A cult ... is a group of people polarized around someone's interpretation of the Bible and is characterized by major deviations from orthodox Christianity relative to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, particularly the fact that God became man in Jesus Christ.”
Also the book of Revelation warns not to add or take away from the Book. Some argue this means only the book of Revelation, but that is denied by most fundementally minded folk. :-)
Here is a interesting quote....
...The Saints have a radically different approach, said Shipps, believing God and Jesus to be separate beings — each with a literal body and parts. They say Jesus was sired by God, with a divine Mother in Heaven. “The Trinity, the Trinity, the Trinity there is no way around the Trinity” said Shipps. “But you know it would also help if Christians — if they are going to use the word ‘cult — would admit that Christianity changed the very nature of the Jewish God. Christianity then grew up to become a new religious tradition. “Mormonism is a new religious tradition that has grown out of Christianity. It is an entity unto itself It is what it is.”
That should be enough to keep most from joining LDS.
Please pass video link along to anyone who may be caught up in LDS, a dangerous cult.
All religions begin as a cult. Including Christianity.